Here is a question an associate of mine recently pondered, and I thought I'd pass it on here. Often, authors have a photo of themselves on the inside flap or on the back cover of the book(s) they've written.
If you were to author a book, would you smile or or not smile for your Author's photograph?
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Friday, March 2, 2012
Even Scribblers Get Stuck - Positively!
Do you ever feel the urge to write, but just can't get it going? We all do, from time to time. My solution to this connundrum is to do a bit of written "free association," if you will.
Let's see how this works, shall we? Recent headlines include tornadic activity, snowstorms, the deadly result of texting while driving, and yet more shootings occuring in our schools.
There's also been a rise in discussion of negative and positive energies, and learning the techniques involved in attracting more positive elements to your life. I'm living proof that these theories work, at least to some extent. I'll try not to sound too "PollyAnnna-ish" as I write about how having positive thoughts and holding those thoughts brings about more positive energy , and hence, good things happening.
Take the poor fella that always seem to focus on his shortcomings, health issues, and so on with a "doom and gloom" outlook. He never seems to get well. He will always have this or that wrong with him, even if it's relatively minor, because he's taught himself that that's the way it is going to be. He has actually talked himself into it.
Have you ever found yourself repeatedly saying, "I'm so sick and tired of... (fill in the blank)" only to come down with a cold that doesn't seem to want to go away? Well, think about the words you've repeatedly heard, "I'm so sick and tired." Well, after a while of hearing this, your body has become convinced that it IS sick, and it IS tired.
Try rephrasing your declaration to sound more positive. For instance, "I will be so happy when (fill in the blank) isn't happening anymore." These words will prepare your body for happiness, and there's every chance that you will stop feeling sick, and your energy levels will rise.
It's almost like self-hypnosis. If you say,"Gee, I'm never going to get over this cold," well, chances are it's going to last a while. But, if you were to begin saying, "I'm going to get better, come hell or high water!" I think you'll see a different result.
Also... have you tried this? When someone asks you to do something for them, have you ever replied, "Yes, I'd be glad to do that for you!" instead of grumbling "okayyyy" under your breath? First, it will surprise them, and second, it will lift your spirits. Make sure to smile, so the person doesn't take this as an act of sarcasm!
Try beginning the day with a smile and a nice thought. Even if you need to write a nice thought down the night before, and read it upon waking, do it. Anything simple like, "Today is going to be a good day!" or "I'm so glad this is (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday... etc)!" will do. As often as you can, think of something pleasant. Instead of thinking about all the bird poo that will be on the lawn when the Robins leave, take joy in watching them for a moment as they hop around with their chests stuck out, searching for worms and bugs. Then, during the day, think back to that nice memory of the Robins.
We're all under a lot of pressure these days. Try giving yourself a little break. Allow yourself to be human, and allow yourself to see as many positive things during the day as possible. Notice the pretty colors on a calendar, or the sunlight reflecting on the office building next door or on the snow in your lawn.. see how the ice particles make the snow look like it has a dusting of diamonds.
After a while, you'll get the hang of this, and you'll begin noticing more and more nice things during the day. DId a phone call not go so well? Could it have gone worse? If so, then make sure to appreciate that it wasn't as bad as it could have been, and move on.
Try smiling as you drive, and smiling as you enter or exit the elevator. It's contagious! It will lift your spirits, and help you notice the good much more than the bad. It's kind of like when you have a blue car, you begin to notice all the other blue cars out there. If you keep your positive feeling, you'll notice more and more positive things in your life.
Let me know how it works for you.
Let's see how this works, shall we? Recent headlines include tornadic activity, snowstorms, the deadly result of texting while driving, and yet more shootings occuring in our schools.
There's also been a rise in discussion of negative and positive energies, and learning the techniques involved in attracting more positive elements to your life. I'm living proof that these theories work, at least to some extent. I'll try not to sound too "PollyAnnna-ish" as I write about how having positive thoughts and holding those thoughts brings about more positive energy , and hence, good things happening.
Take the poor fella that always seem to focus on his shortcomings, health issues, and so on with a "doom and gloom" outlook. He never seems to get well. He will always have this or that wrong with him, even if it's relatively minor, because he's taught himself that that's the way it is going to be. He has actually talked himself into it.
Have you ever found yourself repeatedly saying, "I'm so sick and tired of... (fill in the blank)" only to come down with a cold that doesn't seem to want to go away? Well, think about the words you've repeatedly heard, "I'm so sick and tired." Well, after a while of hearing this, your body has become convinced that it IS sick, and it IS tired.
Try rephrasing your declaration to sound more positive. For instance, "I will be so happy when (fill in the blank) isn't happening anymore." These words will prepare your body for happiness, and there's every chance that you will stop feeling sick, and your energy levels will rise.
It's almost like self-hypnosis. If you say,"Gee, I'm never going to get over this cold," well, chances are it's going to last a while. But, if you were to begin saying, "I'm going to get better, come hell or high water!" I think you'll see a different result.
Also... have you tried this? When someone asks you to do something for them, have you ever replied, "Yes, I'd be glad to do that for you!" instead of grumbling "okayyyy" under your breath? First, it will surprise them, and second, it will lift your spirits. Make sure to smile, so the person doesn't take this as an act of sarcasm!
Try beginning the day with a smile and a nice thought. Even if you need to write a nice thought down the night before, and read it upon waking, do it. Anything simple like, "Today is going to be a good day!" or "I'm so glad this is (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday... etc)!" will do. As often as you can, think of something pleasant. Instead of thinking about all the bird poo that will be on the lawn when the Robins leave, take joy in watching them for a moment as they hop around with their chests stuck out, searching for worms and bugs. Then, during the day, think back to that nice memory of the Robins.
We're all under a lot of pressure these days. Try giving yourself a little break. Allow yourself to be human, and allow yourself to see as many positive things during the day as possible. Notice the pretty colors on a calendar, or the sunlight reflecting on the office building next door or on the snow in your lawn.. see how the ice particles make the snow look like it has a dusting of diamonds.
After a while, you'll get the hang of this, and you'll begin noticing more and more nice things during the day. DId a phone call not go so well? Could it have gone worse? If so, then make sure to appreciate that it wasn't as bad as it could have been, and move on.
Try smiling as you drive, and smiling as you enter or exit the elevator. It's contagious! It will lift your spirits, and help you notice the good much more than the bad. It's kind of like when you have a blue car, you begin to notice all the other blue cars out there. If you keep your positive feeling, you'll notice more and more positive things in your life.
Let me know how it works for you.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
The Bonus of a Leap Year
Ahhhhh, February 29th! A Leap Year that affords us yet one more day to write! What did you write today?
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Join Me!
Back in Lord George Gordon Noel Byron's time, writers were called Scribblers. Because of that, and because I am both a writer and a descendant of Lord Byron, I felt compelled to start this blog and name it Scribblers Unite.
So, whether you write poetry or screenplays; books or magazine articles; travelogues or notes to yourself; this is a place for you!
Here we can brainstorm ideas or critique works or just talk about the life of a writer. Anything that is of interest to a writer - and that covers a great mny things - is welcome for discussion here.
Join me by posting your thoughts, feelings, questions or triumphs. This is a safe place for you!
Thank you for visiting my blog, and I look forward to reading your posts.
So, whether you write poetry or screenplays; books or magazine articles; travelogues or notes to yourself; this is a place for you!
Here we can brainstorm ideas or critique works or just talk about the life of a writer. Anything that is of interest to a writer - and that covers a great mny things - is welcome for discussion here.
Join me by posting your thoughts, feelings, questions or triumphs. This is a safe place for you!
Thank you for visiting my blog, and I look forward to reading your posts.
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